magazine storage question

I wasnt sure where to post this because its a general question so here goes. What are everyones thoughts on keeping magazines loaded or unloaded? Ive got several 30 round ar mags as well as various pistol mags and I am wondering if I keep them fully loaded will it relax the spring over time? If so, what is a good amount of time to rotate loaded and unloaded? Thanks everyone.

I store them loaded. Think about all the things that have compressed springs in them for years and never have a problem. Everything from the tiniest watch springs to hundred year old industrial equipment.

That's a good point. I'm asking because I live in a state that has a 10 round limit on firearms and 4 of my 30 round ar mags are legal because they are pre-ban. I don't want to damage them by storing them loaded

This issue is a little bit like the 9mm vs. 45acp or glock vs. 1911. Is there a spring set that takes place when a mag stays loaded over a long period of time? Some say yes, and others, no. I've heard awesome arguments for both sides.

Generally, though, it is the repeated loading and unloading that weakens the springs. Thus, keeping a mag loaded for long periods or unloaded for long periods or both okay. Repeated use, however, is what causes wear.

If I wanted to save the future functionality of some mags, I would leave them unloaded until needed. YMMV...

Springs don't have memories and the amount of compressing and releasing that needs to be done to a spring before it will fail is so large that the metal would rust away before the spring was damaged by the compression and release of the spring (as a rule). Of course a faulty spring is going to fail anyway.